₦airaland Forum

The eldest son of President Shehu Shagari, who
ruled Nigeria in the Second Republic, Captain
Bala Shagari (retired), has advised leaders of the
Peoples Democratic Party to stop dragging his
father's name into the endorsement politics of
their presidential candidate and allow his father
enjoy the quiet life of his retirement.
Bala Shagari, who holds the traditional title of
Sarkin Mafaran Shagari, said in a statement that
it is embarrassing for his elderly father to be
dragged into partisan politics, which brings
needless distractions into his private life in
retirement.
According to the retired captain, while his father
would continue to pray for the peace, unity and
stability of Nigeria, it is wrong for any political
party or group of politicians to use his name to
advance their own interests in their endorsement
campaign without his permission.
Bala Shagari said his father has not endorsed
anybody for the February 2015 presidential
election, and that he remains politically neutral.
He explained that as a father figure, his father's
role is to pray for peace, unity and stability of
Nigeria.
The District Head of Shagari said any
endorsement of candidate or candidates of any
party might compromise the neutrality and
integrity of his father. He advised politicians to
avoid politics of bitterness, division, intolerance
and violence, which, he warned, pose a threat to
Nigeria's democracy.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/30/shagari-family-pdp-stop-dragging-our-father-your-politics

JANUARY 29, 2015 BY FIDELIS SORIWEI, ABUJA
38 Comments
The Special Adviser to the President on Niger
Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has faulted the call by a
former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus
Danjuma(retd.), for the arrest of ex-militant
leaders of the Niger Delta over their alleged threat
to go to war if President Goodluck Jonathan loses
the next election.
He said the leader of the defunct Niger Delta
Peoples Volunteer Force, Mujahadeen Dokubo-
Asari, who issued the threat after a meeting with
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, where
Kuku was present, spoke his “personal opinion.”
Kuku, who is the Chairman, Presidential Amnesty
Programme, said the former Defence Minister got
it wrong as the meeting, which held in Yenagoa,
Bayelsa State, was called to ensure the
prevalence of peace in the society rather than a
forum to threaten violence.
He said the former militant leaders were invited to
Yenagoa to hold talks on how to handle the
tension caused by the recent attacks on the
President in Katsina and Bauchi states during the
ongoing presidential campaigns in those states.
He faulted Danjuma for rushing to the media to
call for the arrest of Dokubo, Tompolo and others
rather than seeking clarification on what
transpired at the meeting.
According to him, the meeting became necessary
in view of the threat by some Niger Delta youths
to retaliate the attack on the President in the two
northern states.
Kuku added, “The meeting, which was called by a
governor, could not have called for war. Only a
section of the media heard Asari calling for war.
We called the meeting of all ex-militants who
were preparing to respond to the alleged attack of
Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi.
“They were about to react but we held the
meeting to douse the tension. We tried to explain
to them that what they heard happened in
Katsina and Bauchi was untrue. It is true that
Asari was angry and had threatened to fight
back.
“I advised the other agitators not to react. What
Asari said was his personal opinion. I read the
resolution and there was no call for war in the
communique read.
“There was nothing like calling for war during the
meeting; I’m sure Danjuma did not get his facts
right. I will call him and explain the situation of
things to him.”
Kuku challenged leaders in the North to take the
bold decision to come out against the members
of the Boko Haram sect, stressing that the fear of
the military uniform would not stop terrorists
attacks in the area.
“The North Eastern leaders, former heads of state,
governors, senators, political leaders must come
out against Boko Haram. They are the only
people that can come out to say enough is
enough.
“People fear the military uniform but it does not
stop terrorists attack. When leaders play politics
with insurgency, they will not see the end of it,”
he added

http://www.punchng.com/news/kuku-faults-danjumas-call-for-tompolo-dokubos-arrest/

still hearing siren.

just heard many gun shots not far from bayero univ kano old site campus

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP may be
keeping a close tab on five of its governors over
suspicion that they may be working underground
to boost the presidential aspiration of General
Mohammadu Buhari, of the All Progressives
Congress, APC in the February 14 presidential
contest, New Telegraph reports.
Quoting a top party official, the report indicates
that the governors are suspected to be secretly
mobilizing support for Buhari to have at least 25
per cent of the total votes cast in their respective
states in order to brighten his chances of winning
the presidential election.
The source listed the governors being watched as
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta, Mr. Sullivan
Chime, Enugu, Chief Martin Elechi, Ebonyi, Dr.
Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Niger, Mr. James Bala
Ngilari, Adamawa and Abubakar Danladi, Taraba.
According to the source, the leadership of the PDP
had doubts about the commitment of the
governors, along with some other bigwigs of the
party who nurse grievances following the party’s
primaries, to work wholeheartedly for the victory
of President Goodluck Jonathan next month.
The report could however not confirm if more
states are involved in the deal to ease Buhari’s
victory just as the PDP National Publicity
Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, dismissed the
alleged placement of the governor under close
watch.
The source however insisted that the party had in
its possession ‘verifiable evidence’ that some of
the PDP governors, especially those whose
interests were bruised in the last primaries were
“willing to give the opposition party soft landing
in some states.
“On paper, we say there is no problem, but in the
real sense of it, there are bottled-up anger and
animosity across the various chapters of the
party in the country. As a party, we are not losing
sight of this and we are doing everything humanly
possible to stem any slide in any state chapter of
the PDP.
“It is a thing that calls for worry because we have
verifiable evidence and enough facts indeed that
some of the PDP governors you press call
aggrieved governors are already preparing ground
to allow General Buhari have a leverage that can
give him the required 25 per cent of total votes
cast in the February 14 presidential election.
“The irony is that we do know this fact but we do
not in the same breath, want to confront them
and rock the boat. The only thing we can do is to
put them under serious surveillance as we
approach the elections”, the source said.
Reacting to the report, Metuh who claimed
ignorance of such a development said no PDP
governor was hobnobbing with Buhari.
According to him, the report was fabricated by
APC to create confusion in the ruling party.
“This is a rumour and a lie fabricated by the
opposition to create confusion in our midst. All
our governors are intact and fully committed to
the ideals of the PDP. They have all been working
against the APC and its candidate and cannot
turn around to support the opposition in any
form.

http://dailypost.ng/2015/01/29/five-pdp-governors-watch-supporting-buhari/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Frontpage

The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has
resolved to support the candidature of General
Muhammad Buhari, the presidential candidate of
the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari in Aba
Photo Credit:
Sahara Reporters Media
The party took the unanimous decision at a
meeting of its National Executive Committee in
Abuja on Thursday, and it called on all of its
members and supporters to vote for him at the
February 14 election.
In a statement signed by the party’s National
Chairman, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, and its National
Secretary, Ifeanyi Igwe, the PDM stated that of
the available presidential candidates, two clearly
stand out but represent a clear contrast and
reference point for making a clear and informed
choice.
“On the five critical issues which NEC believes
constitute the nation's top and urgent priority at
this material time, namely, National Unity, Public
Security, Job Creation, Fight Against Corruption
and the Economy, it is the opinion of NEC that
the incumbent who has been at the helm of
affairs of the nation in the past six years had
failed,” the statement said. “In contrast, his
opponent had a track record of achievement in
these areas as a former Head of State and, later,
Executive Chairman of Petroleum (Special) Trust
Fund. NEC believes it is time for Nigerians to give
him a chance.”
The party noted the rising level of corruption,
unemployment and impunity in the country and
condemned the campaign of calumny and hate by
prominent citizens who are desperate to win
election at any cost, including plunging the nation
into chaos and anarchy. It called on Nigerians to
reject desperate politicians who have been given
a chance to prove their worth but failed. It
underlined that Nigeria's democracy has come to
stay and would not be undermined by the
desperation of those who are afraid to lose
election in February 2015.
Text of the PDM Communique:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE
MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC
MOVEMENT HELD AT THE NATIONAL
SECRETARIAT, MAITAMA, ABUJA ON THURSDAY,
JANUARY 22, 2015
The National Executive Committee of Peoples
Democratic Movement met at the National
Headquarters of the Party in Abuja on Thursday,
January 22, 2015. At the meeting were members
of the National Working Committee, State
Chairmen of the Party from across the federation
and invited Party Elders. Later, NEC met with
candidates of the Party for various elective posts
from across the country.
2. NEC reviewed the Party's preparations for the
February 2015 General Elections and expressed
satisfaction with the state of readiness of the
Party to participate in the elections. It also
endorsed the plans and strategies presented by
the National Working Committee for winning the
Governorship, Senatorial, House of
Representatives and State Assembly elections
across the country. It called on Nigerians to vote
en masse for PDM candidates at all levels in
order to bring genuine change to Nigeria in 2015
and improve the quality of life of Nigerians in the
years ahead.
3. NEC further reviewed the distribution of
Permanent Voters Cards by INEC and noted that
large numbers of registered voters are yet to be
issued with their cards. It also received reports
that eligible voters in some polling units have not
been registered at all. It called on INEC to
redouble its efforts to ensure no eligible voter is
disenfranchised. It commended the resolve of the
Commission to give Internally Displace Persons in
Adamawa, Borno and Yobe the opportunity to
cast their votes in February 2015.
4. NEC condemned the call by the Governor of
Adamawa State, Barr. Bala Ngilari, for the
postponement of the forthcoming elections in
Adamawa State. NEC wondered why it is the
Governor of Adamawa, not Borno State, who is
making such a call. NEC believes the people of
Adamawa State deserve to vote for leaders of
their choice alongside other Nigerians and will not
be denied this right just because the state
governor is not a candidate.
5. NEC also reviewed the State of the Nation and
expressed concern with the deteriorating state of
insecurity in the country, especially in the North
East where insurgents appear to have a free reign
killing and displacing innocent citizens and taking
over the nation's sovereign territory. It
commiserated with the victims of insurgency in
the affected states and called on the Federal
Government to discharge its responsibilities to
Nigerians by guaranteeing the safety of their lives
and property and retrieving the nations' lost
territory within the shortest possible time.
6. NEC noted the rising level of corruption,
unemployment and impunity in the country and
condemned the campaign of calumny and hate by
prominent citizens who are desperate to win
election at any cost, including plunging the nation
into chaos and anarchy. It called on Nigerians to
reject desperate politicians who have been given
a chance to prove their worth but failed. It noted
that Nigeria's democracy had come to stay and
would not be undermined by the desperation of
those who are afraid to lose election in February
2015.
7. NEC noted that the Party has no candidate in
the presidential election of February 14, 2015. It
considered and accepted the need to support a
candidate in order to save Nigeria from imminent
collapse and give it a new lease of life. It also
noted that the Party had registered close to six
million members both manually and online and
resolved to deploy this voting strength for good
and in the best interest of Nigeria at this very
critical time.
8. NEC observed that of the available presidential
candidates, two clearly stand out and the two
represent a clear contrast and reference point for
making a clear and informed choice. On the five
critical issues which NEC believes constitute the
nation's top and urgent priority at this material
time, namely, National Unity, Public Security, Job
Creation, Fight Against Corruption and the
Economy, it is the opinion of NEC that the
incumbent who has been at the helm of affairs of
the nation in the past six years had failed. In
contrast, his opponent had a track record of
achievement in these areas as a former Head of
State and, later, Executive Chairman of Petroleum
(Special) Trust Fund. NEC believes it is time for
Nigerians to give him a chance.
9. In view of the foregoing, NEC unanimously
resolved to support the candidature of General
Muhammadu Buhari for President of Nigeria and
called on all members and supporters of PDM
across Nigeria to vote for him in the presidential
election of February 14, 2015.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/24/pdm-endorses-buhari-condemns-desperate-politicians-who-have-failed

MUST BE IN FRONT PAGE!!!!!! change must come even on nairaland

Governor Isa Yuguda of Baucho State has
admitted that members of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) and not the opposition
All Progressives Congress (APC), attacked the
campaign team of President Goodluck Jonathan
during their visit to Bauchi.
Speaking on a BBC Hausa service, Yuguda, who is
also a member of the PDP said some of the
leading political party ‘s ruling members were
unsettled at the state of Abuja and are the ones
who organized the youth violence.
On Thursday, some youths attacked the meeting
gangamen of President Goodluck Jonathan in
some streets, including when the team was on
their way to the palace of the Emir of Bauchi, and
a field event.
Federal Capital Territory Minister Bala
Mohammed, chairman of PDP national Ahmadu
Mu’azu of the members of the PDP in the state
have not been good friends with the governor,
despite the fact that the are in the same party .
For those who can read Hausa, here is what the
BBC reported: BBC Hausa Crude translation;


http://abusidiqu.com/pdp-governor-isa-yuguda-admit-party-members-not-apc-attacked-president-jonathan-bauchi/

A woman who escaped from Baga, a town in
Borno State that recently fell under the control of
Islamist terrorists Boko Haram, has told the BBC
that the insurgent fighters are indiscriminately
raping girls and middle-aged women trapped in
the besieged town.
Boko Haram militant
Boko Haram militants overran Baga after sacking
a multi-national military base that had the task of
defending the town. It is believed that the
Islamist fighters may have killed as many as
2000 residents.
In one of the most intimate and chilling accounts
of the state of affairs in the captured town, the
escaped woman told a BBC Hausa service,
monitored by our correspondent in Maiduguri,
that Boko Haram fighters were engaged in
incessant acts of rape. She also disclosed that
the violent militants had instituted corporal
punishment of residents as well as the
enslavement of some of their victims.
The woman revealed that the militants were
forcing women to partake in the burial of corpses
that littered the town in the wake of the onslaught
against it. In addition, the Boko Haram fighters
were looting abandoned homes and shops in
search of food.
“The Boko Haram fighters are controlling Baga,
Doron Baga, Mile 3 and Mile 4. They are raping
our daughters and punishing our people,” the
woman said. She added: “They broke shops and
hauled away foodstuff. They are burning houses.
They don’t allow women to come out of the
houses that are left. And they are forcing women
to carry out burials.’’
The escapee also stated that the fighters preach
Islamic tenets each morning and evening.
http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/24/boko-haram-raping-women-enslaving-locals-baga—escapee

Thousands of troops and new battle ready
armored tanks were deployed to the streets of
Maiduguri Borno state capital ahead of President
Goodluck Jonathan campaign visit to the city
today.
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK
JAN 24, 2015
Thousands of troops and new battle ready
armored tanks were deployed to the streets of
Maiduguri Borno state capital ahead of President
Goodluck Jonathan campaign visit to the city
today.
Nigerian troops
Thousands of troops were seen from the
Maiduguri airport's Jos road leading to the shut
down of major roads and streets in the city.
Several of the soldiers who appeared well kitted
with brand new rifles were stationed five meters
apart.
The development has made many residents
uneasy as they complain that soldiers have made
it impossible to move around the city making life
more difficult for them.
A journalist, Kolo Dala, told our correspondent
that he suffered a lot before he could reach the
Government House Maiduguri where he was to
meet colleagues because it took him more than
an hour instead of fifteen minutes to get there.
Another resident, Yusuf Usman, said he saw
heavy presence of military and policemen that
looks better kitted and battle-ready which made
him wonder if Mr President could deploy the
troops to fight Boko Haram so as to put an end
to the insurgency that had put Borno state in a
virtual lockdown.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/24/thousands-troops-deployed-maiduguri-ahead-pdp-presidential-campaign-rally

Arsonists, suspected to be supporters of the
Peoples Democratic Party, on Friday set ablaze
the campaign office of the governorship candidate
of the All Progressives Congress in Bauchi State,
Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, in Bauchi.
Some political hoodlums, suspected to be
members of the APC, had, on Thursday, pelted
President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign convoy
with stones and brooms on Nasarawa Street,
Bauchi, on his way to the Emir’s Palace.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,
Senator Bala Mohammed, was pelted by some
‘supporters’ at the venue of the Presidential
Campaign rally in Bauchi.
Investigations by revealed that the angry youths
attacked and vandalised the Bauchi South
Senatorial District campaign office of Abubakar,
located at Kobi Street, at about 2am.
A resident of the area, who spoke to The PUNCH,
said, “We woke up and saw the office on fire and
all the valuable things in the office had already
been burnt and there was nothing we could do at
that time to save the situation.
“We did not envisage that any reasonable person
could do such a thing.”
Another resident, who equally craved anonymity,
alleged that he saw a group of youths, who
stormed the office in three Hilux vehicles; set the
place ablaze and immediately drove off.
The source said the flame blazed for over two
hours, fueled by the documents in the office.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday in Bauchi,
Abubakar described the incident as unfortunate,
barbaric and undemocratic.
He accused PDP supporters of masterminding the
burning of the office, arguing that APC members
could not burn their own office.
The governorship candidate described the APC as
a peaceful party, restating the party’s
determination to clinching the governorship seat
in the state.
Abubakar warned those behind the burning of his
campaign office to desist, calling on security
agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring
them to book.
“We in APC we are not violent people and we are
guided by the simple principle of issue-based
campaign and not violence.
“Our peaceful conduct is already giving us an
edge over our opponents and we can never resort
to violence at any point of our campaign,” he
added.
Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer,
Haruna Mohammed, told our correspondent that
he was still compiling his report on the incident.
“I am compiling the report and will send details to
you as soon as am done,” the PPRO said.
http://www.punchng.com/news/hoodlums-raze-bauchi-apc-gov-candidates-office/

@GovUmarGanduje: "GEJ went to Sokoto, Kano
and Zamfara, all APC states, he wasn't stoned.
Why was he stoned in Katsina and Bauchi,
states under PDP control?"

This Man Was Quoted Saying "buy Buhari's sugar cane "

change

The President of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal
between 1999 and 2009, Justice Umaru Abdullahi,
on Wednesday said he sat for the West African
School Certificate exams in 1961 alongside
Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential candidate of
the All Progressives Congress.
BY MUSIKILU MOJEED
JAN 22, 2015
2.8K
93
43
The President of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal
between 1999 and 2009, Justice Umaru Abdullahi,
on Wednesday said he sat for the West African
School Certificate exams in 1961 alongside
Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential candidate of
the All Progressives Congress.
Former Preisdent of Nigeria's Court of Appeal,
Umaru Abdullahi
In an interview with Leadership newspaper
Wednesday, Justice Abdullahi, 75, said he and a
few other prominent Nigerians were Mr. Buhari’s
classmates at the Provincial Secondary School,
Katsina (now Government College, Katsina) and
that the APC candidate was among the most
brilliant students then.
“I, Buhari and some others had the best results
during our final examinations in secondary school
back then,” Leadership quoted the retired judge
as saying. “He was a very brilliant student in
school, no doubt; we attended the same school
from primary to secondary school.”
The report also quoted a retired Inspector General
of Police, Ibrahim Coomasie, as confirming Mr.
Buhari’s attendance and graduation from Katsina
Provincial College.
The paper quoted Mr. Coomassie as saying,
“While we were in school, Buhari was the head
boy. He loves playing football. We were all close
friends in school. After we finished secondary
school, General Buhari decided to join the military,
I joined the police and Justice Abdullahi decided
to go to the university.”
“I, the late Shehu Yar’Adua, the late Halilu, a
Grand Khadi in Katsina, Senator Abdul Ali, a
Senator in the 2nd Republic and several other
attended the same school.”
Messrs Abdullahi and Coomassie spoke following
the controversy over Mr. Buhari’s academic
credential.
The PDP had accused the APC presidential
candidate of not possessing the requisite
academic qualification to stand for election.
On Wednesday, Mr. Buhari addressed a press
conference in Kano explaining that he attended
and sat for WASC exam with some prominent
Nigerians still alive.
“… let me say for the record that I attended
Provincial Secondary School, Katsina. I graduated
in 1961 with many prominent Nigerians, including
General Shehu Yar’Adua, former chief of staff at
the Supreme Headquarters, and Justice Umaru
Abdullahi, a former President of the Court of
Appeal,” the APC candidate said. “We sat for the
University of Cambridge/WASC Examination
together in 1961, the year we graduated. My
examination number was 8280002, and I passed
the examination in the Second Division.”
A few hours after Mr. Buhari’s speech, PREMIUM
TIMES exclusively made public the APC
candidate’s statement of result as well as a
master list from the University of Cambridge
containing the results of his classmates.
The two documents were made available by Mr.
Buhari’s old school, Government College, Katsina.
The statement of results is printed on the letter
head paper of the Katsina State Ministry of
Education, and it shows that the examination
took place in 1961.
The Cambridge print out also shows the result of
17 other candidates at the centre, including Shehu
Yar’Adua, a former Chief of Staff, Supreme
Headquarters.
Controversy over Mr. Buhari’s result escalated
Tuesday after the Nigerian Army, which had
earlier admitted to having copies of his certificate,
reversed itself, saying it could not even attest to
the details listed in his records.
The spokesperson of the Army, Olajide Laleye,
said “Neither the original copy, certified true copy
(CTC) nor statement of result of Major-.Gen.
Mohammadu Buhari‘s WASC result is in his
personal file.”
He said while it is the practice in the Nigerian
Army that before candidates are shortlisted for
commissioning into the officers’ cadre of the
service, the selection board verifies the original
copies of credentials as presented, “There is no
available record to show that this process was
followed in the 1960s.”
The military’s comments came after the retired
general had said that his lost copies of results
were with the Army, an explanation he gave
ahead of elections February 14.
Mr. Buhari expressed shock at the claim and told
the media in Kano, Wednesday, that he had given
the controversy no serious thought until the
intervention by the military.
But even after the documents, which appear to
corroborate Mr. Buhari’s claims about his
credentials, became public, the PDP presidential
campaign organization questioned its authenticity
and accused the APC candidate of forgery and
perjury.
The spokesperson for the PDP presidential
campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode told journalists
Wednesday, “The implication of the action of this
so-called “Mr Clean” is nothing but perjury and
we all know that this is a grave criminal offence
under our laws and constitution.
“We urge Buhari and his party to do the right
thing, tender an unreserved apology to the
Nigerian people. He should throw in the towel and
report to the nearest police station for
interrogation and prosecution. Anything less than
that would be an insult to the collective
intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian people.”


http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/22/i-sat-wasc-exams-alongside-buhari-others-—-justice-abdullahi

NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar
The Nigeria Labour Congress has accused the
Federal Government of denying Nigerians the
benefits accruing from the falling crude oil price.
The President, NLC, Abdulwahed Omar, in a post
on the congress’ website, said the situation on
the ground pointed to the fact that the
government did not have a structured response to
the present situation in the crude oil market.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister
of the Nigerian economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-
Iweala, while speaking on the 2015 budget
proposal, had said, “Our preliminary estimates
show that the break-even crude oil price, at
which the landed cost of Premium Motor Spirit
(petrol) will equal our current pump price of N97
per litre so that there will no longer be subsidy, is
about $60 per barrel.”
The NLC said by implication, Nigerians are
expected to pay less than N97 per litre for petrol,
once oil price slumps to $60 or lower per barrel.
As of Friday, Brent crude, the global oil
benchmark, stood at $49 per barrel, meaning
Nigeria is due for a drop in pump price of petrol.
The NLC boss said, practically, all the measures
muted or taken so far by government showed a
smack of shock and panic, and clearly exposed
the country’s vulnerability.
Omar noted that the current situation could have
been avoided, if labour’s earlier advice had been
taken.
He said, “For instance, we recall advising
government time without number to boost the
capacity of domestic refining, instead of
depending on imports, whose landing cost is
dependent on prevailing exchange rate and other
motivations not far from usury.”
Omar stressed that, “We still stand by our time-
tested position that the only permanent solution
to the crisis of petroleum products pricing is
adequate domestic refining. Accordingly, we urge
government to put in place realistic appropriate
legislation and policy in order to realise this.”
The NLC boss stated that the Congress had urged
the Federal Government to diversify the economy
from oil by developing other sectors.
Omar also said in spite of the presence of a
multi-agency task force in the Niger Delta, crude
oil theft became phenomenal in 2014, accounting
for as much as 30 per cent of national output.
This, he noted, had created loss of revenue and
divestments, saying that, “closely linked to this
horrendous crime is the degradation of the
environment by illegal refineries, oil spills, cover-
ups and related incidents.”
Omar further said despite the rating of Nigerian
economy in 2014 as the biggest in Africa, there
was little by way of practical performance, as
lending rates remained high making the cost of
doing business unreasonable.

Buhari's cute family. there must be something special in this family. pls show your appereciation.

show your family let us see.

Buhari presidency would be one of the best memory in my life. in Buhari we *youth* TRUST

zahra buhari

haters what of this one

JANUARY 13, 2015 BY FEMI MAKINDE, OSOGBO
33 Comments
President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday tasked
Nigerians to stop the presidential candidate of the
All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhamadu
Buhari (retd.) from wining the February 14th
presidential election.
The president, who spoke in Osogbo at the
presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic
Party said that Buhari would unleash more
hardship and unnecessary punishment on
Nigerians if he won the poll.
Jonathan said that Buhari had an opportunity of
ruling the nation as a military Head of State but
failed to transform the nation.
According to him, Buhari had the opportunity to
ensure an effective mass transit system in the
country but did not do anything about it.
He said, “We have done reasonably well despite
the challenges before us. All of you saw the train
that just passed through this place now. We
promised to resuscitate railway and we did it. All
of you saw the train; we can even end the
campaign with that.
” Those who are the opportunity to do it but did
not do anything; about it and they want to come
back now. Don’t allow them. Mass transit cannot
work by using small buses, you need train which
will be cheaper.”
The President said that his administration was
planning the railway line that would link Lagos
State with the Eastern part of the nation to make
transportation of people and goods safer and
cheaper.
Jonathan said that the Federal Government was
working on Ilesa Dam, Ife Dam and said that he
would do more if he was given another
opportunity to steer the ship of the nation for
another four years.
He thanked the the people of Osun State for the
support they showed him in the 2011 presidential
election while asking the people to show him and
PDP candidates much more support in the 2015
poll.
http://www.punchng.com/news/stop-buhari-from-returning-to-power-says-jonathan/

We must remember the October 1 bombing in
Abuja that Henry Okah confessed they (MEND)
were hired to carry out and frame IBB and other
Northerners, to win sympathy for Jonathan. We
must remember also that before his confession,
Jonathan had denied that MEND were responsible
for the attack. Yet a few days ago in Lagos, the
same Jonathan confessed that MEND carried out
the attack and alleged that their target was to kill
him! This man has had a record of framing his
opponents with violence. This we must not forget.
The incidence in Jos should be thoroughly
investigated and the perpetrators should be
arrested and prosecuted, whoever's supporters
they are.
BY ELVIS IYORNGURUM
JAN 12, 2015
23
21
27
I spent nearly an hour writing a reaction to the
propaganda being peddled by the government and
its supporters, regarding the burning of a
Goodluck Jonathan campaign bus in Jos on
Saturday by angry youths. They are blaming it on
Gen Buhari. The piece I wrote is in defence of the
General but somehow at some point, I got tired of
having to respond to lies and falsehood.
I decided to rather write a word of encouragement
for all the good-hearted and courageous
Nigerians who are fighting for a positive change
for our dear nation. This election is in truth not
about Buhari and Jonathan. It is about the truth
that is trying to set us free and the evil that is
desperate to retain its siege on us. Jonathan has
spent six years ruling this country and all we see
around is the best he can offer: poverty,
corruption, bloodshed, fear, pain, visionlessness
and total failure. His presidency represents a
repressive system of darkness and evil that is
fighting hard to protect itself. A virus does not let
go of its host without fighting back. Nigerians are
yearning for a positive change, for a better life, for
freedom from all the ills eating us up. The
yearning is being fulfilled now and it is
understandable that the vicious system won't
give up without a fight.
http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/12/2015-not-about-buhari-or-jonathan-elvis-iyorngurum

M r. Femi Agagu, the former Chief of Staff and
younger brother to late Governor of Ondo State,
Olusegun Agagu, has defected to the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr. Femi Agagu defected alongside the former
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor
Olabimtan.
Femi Agagu and Olabintan in Akure today
The duo defected this morning with thousands of
supports from the Peoples Democratic (PDP)
including past state executives members who
served under the administration of the late
Olusegun Agagu.
A correspodent of Saharareporters who is at the
venue of the defection reports that thousands of
aggreived PDP members in the state Including key
loyal aides of Governor Olusegun Mimiko defected
to the APC.
At the ongoing event, on Oyemekun road, venue
and state secretariat of the APC, supporters filled
the storey building to capacity


http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/13/defection-agagu-olabintan-leads-thousands-pdp-members-apc-ondo

Introduction: To paraphrase the great quotation
‘Plato is my friend — Aristotle is my friend — but
my greatest friend is the truth’ by Isaac newton.
In my words, I will say ‘Jonathan is my president,
Goodluck is a Christian, but Nigeria is my
greatest love’.
Pastor Sunday Adelaja
I would like to appeal to everyone that will see
this article not to be in a hurry to ‘stone’ me,
especially before you finish reading it. This is
because I have seen a lot of emotions, sentiments
and prejudices from the comments that were
written under the article I had earlier posted on
my Facebook page. As a matter of fact, I was not
planning to make my position a public knowledge,
but seeing the reactions and the emotions that
any form of support for Buhari/Osinbajo generates
among Christians, I decided to make my position
known at least to those who see me as a leader
in the body of Christ. Mainly because of the
above mentioned quotation that to me the destiny
and future of Nigeria is paramount to any
sentiment.
I therefore believe that I owe it to my friends,
colleges and posterity to explain why I believe the
Buhari/Osinbajo ticket is the life line to the
Nigerian nation right now. Of course you all have
the right to your opinions and you have the right
to agree or disagree, but I think it would be fair
for you to hear my point of view.
From the comments on my Facebook, I can
envisage disappointment and disillusionment in a
lot of my followers as a result of my position, I
might actually be losing some friends and fans as
a result but let’s not forget the words of Isaac
newton ‘Plato is my friend— Aristotle is my friend
— but my greatest friend is the truth’ . Therefore I
say ‘Jonathan is my president, Goodluck is a
Christian, but Nigeria is my greatest love’
I have never done this before, to voice my
position on the political issues of Nigeria publicly,
especially through social media, newspaper or
internet but the future of Nigeria compels me.
Ecclesiastics 10:16-17
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
And your princes feast in the morning!
17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the
son of nobles,
And your princes feast at the proper time—
For strength and not for drunkenness!
Part 1: - The Professor Yemi Osinbajo that I
know
Until Gen. Buhari picked Professor Yemi Osinbajo
as his running mate, I was not certain about my
decision. In my opinion the choice of Professor
Osinbajo wasn’t just a choice made by man, I
believe it was God who handpicked him as
Buhari’s running mate.
Why do I think so?
I know the man!
I would dare to say that I personally do not know
any other Christian leader in Nigeria with the kind
of impeccable reputation, character and integrity
as that of Professor Osinbajo. Friends, THE MAN
IS REAL!
Everyone talks about the integrity and the purity
of Pastor Adeboye and rightly so, I dare to say
that Professor Osinbajo is a son and a carbon
copy of Pastor Adeboye when it comes to
integrity and character. Anybody who has met
him will affirm the same.
There is no other person like Professor Osinbajo!
Anyone that knows him very well will tell you the
same thing. He is in a class of his own. I can
confidently vouch for him and say to my fellow
Nigerians that with the emergence of Professor
Osinbajo, we can say at last that Nigeria as a
nation has started releasing her best sons to the
seat of government.
Ecclesiastics 10:16-17
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
And your princes feast in the morning!
17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the
son of nobles,
And your princes feast at the proper time—
For strength and not for drunkenness!
In the ticket of Gen. Buhari and Professor
Osinbajo, I see sons of nobles becoming the kings
of Nigeria. I see in these people, princes that
would feast at the proper time- for strength and
not for drunkenness.
Unfortunately what has been happening in Nigeria
in the last six years can only be compared to a
situation where the kings of our land has been
like children, who feast in the morning. The
predictable outcome of such a predicament is a
tale of woes.
As a result, Nigeria has not been able to set
herself free from all sorts of calamities,
adversaries, woes and troubles, because our
rulers have been as children and our princes
(government officials) are those who like to feast
in the morning. No purposeful person goes to
feast in the morning, the morning is a time of
labor, hard work and diligence. But from the
stories we have been hearing of how our natural
resources and billions of dollars are been
depleted, we could see that our princes are on a
‘shopping and spending spree’. However, we need
sons of nobles, those who will know how to delay
their gratification, restrain their appetite and those
who will go to work hard on behalf of the nation.
The Osinbajo and Buhari that I know are men of
Nobles that know how to delay gratification, men
who don’t expect something for nothing, men of
diligent labor.
Professor Osinbajo is one of the youngest and
most brilliant Professor of Law Nigeria has ever
produced. He understands law, academics and
economics. He is perfectly prepared to manage
the nation. His eight years in the executive arm of
the Lagos state government attests to this. He
brought more reforms to the government than any
attorney general has ever done. His reputation
was so outstanding, pure and incorruptible that it
gained a legendary status among those who know
him. Friends, believe me, if he could do that in
Lagos state, he can do that for Nigeria.
Professor Osinbajo is not just an intellectual per
excellence, but he is a genuine child of God, a
Pastor who cannot be a stooge to anyone.


http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/11/pastor-sunday-adelaja-endorses-gmb -professor-yemi-osinbajo-i-know

subsection 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, which
states that the most senior judge acts as Chief
Judge pending the appointment of a substantive
Chief Judge.
Patricia Mahmoud, an Idoma from Benue state is
a judge of the Kano State High Court. She joined
the state Ministry of Justice in 1983 and rose to
become a Director of the Drafting and Research
department. She was appointed to the bench in
1992. She is active in the Association of Women
Judges in Nigeria and abroad. She has been the
Kano State Coordinator for Women in Nigeria
(WIN), a women's rights organization for years.
Justice Mahmoud is married to Mr. A. B.
Mahmoud, SAN, a one-time Solicitor General and
Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of
Kano state.
In March 2014, Justice Mahmoud’s daughter,
Zubaida Mahmoud wrote an emotional piece
about social discrimination her jurist mother
faced as reproduced below…
My mom is Idoma, from Benue State while my
dad is Fulani from Kano State. They met in 1979
when they were both at the Nigerian Law School.
After their call to Bar, they were both posted to
Rivers State for NYSC. They got married in
January 1983 and settled in Kano State.
My mom joined the Civil Service that year -
worked in the Ministry of Justice. She was
appointed a Judge of the Kano State High Court
in December 1991. She has served Kano State for
a period of 31 years, 22 of which as a Judge.
She has been nominated at least twice for
elevation to the bench of the Court of Appeal. But
'disqualified' on the basis that she is not an
indigene of Kano State and cannot, therefore, be
considered under the Kano quota. The National
Judicial Council (NJC) has been applying the
Federal Character Commission Guidelines:
"Guiding Principles & Formulae for Distribution of
All Cadre of Posts" as a basis for such
disqualification.
The relevant paragraph of the sub legislation
states
"A married woman shall continue to lay claim to
her State of Origin for a purpose of
implementation of the Federal Character Formulae
at the National Level."
This, of course, implies that for my mom to be
elevated to the Court of Appeal, she has to be
nominated by the Benue State Judiciary, the State
she has never served. How will any reasonable
person expect them to skip their own Judges and
nominate her?!
For me, there are a number of issues with this
guideline.
1. The most important one, it conflicts with the
Constitution. The Judiciary is responsible for
interpreting and applying the Law and one of the
most basic things that even non-lawyers know is
that if any law is inconsistent with the provision
of the constitution, the constitution shall prevail,
and that other law shall to the extent of the
inconsistency be void. See Section 1(3) of the
1999 Constitution of the FRN.
Section 15(1) of the Constitution of the FRN
states that:
The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall
be Unity and Faith, Peace, and Progress.
(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be
actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the
grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status,
ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be
prohibited.
(3) For the purpose of promoting national
integration, it shall be the duty of the State to -...
(b) secure full residence rights for every citizen in
all parts of the Federation;
(c) encourage inter-marriage among persons from
different places of origin, or of different religious,
ethnic or linguistic association or ties;...
The said guidelines are clearly inconsistent with
the constitution as it discriminates on the basis
of place of origin and sex.
2. The guidelines are discriminatory against
women, and I find it pitiful that the person
enforcing it against them is a woman. One would
think that even if such a guideline were in force
prior to her taking office, she would ensure their
rights are protected especially as it isn't even a
Law of the NASS.
But then again, I find that we (women) are mostly
our greatest enemy. It reminds me of the Senior
FEMALE Law School Lecturer that not only
addressed us as 'gentlemen in skirts' but always
made it a point to correct anyone that said
"Ladies and gentlemen" by saying "There are no
ladies at the bar, only gentlemen in skirts". In this
21st century!!! Such a degrading and sexist
comment were coming from a fellow woman. The
irony was that the male lecturers always
addressed the class by saying "Ladies and
Gentlemen" but for the female ones it was always
"gentlemen". It always baffled me. Why are we so
retrogressive, we hold on tight to archaic ways
and then expect to progress as a country.
3. My mom is the most senior Judge, by the way,
at the Kano State Judiciary (apart from the CJ)
and I dare say one of the most COMPETENT and
INCORRUPTIBLE ones (this, not because she's
my mother but a verifiable fact). She was
disqualified because she is not considered an
indigene of Kano, this, not minding that she has
served Kano State all her career life (31 good
years). The interesting part of it all is that the
person, that got the appointment, is originally not
an indigene of Kano either. She, like my mother
got married and settled in Kano, but unlike my
mother, has since then laid claims to Kano as her
state of origin.
How any reasonable person will sit and think that
this is fair and just is beyond me. Although I
believe and pray that this is what is best for her
in shaa Allah, I cannot overlook the injustice. She
has accepted it quite gracefully, but I can only
imagine her frustration.
She is next in line to become the CJ of Kano.
Although she has strong reservations about that, I
have told her that I think she will make a better
impact there than at the Court of Appeal because
anyone that knows about the Kano Judiciary at
the moment, will agree with me that it is in
turmoil. However, those, that don't want her to
benefit from the Kano quota because of her
indigeneship, are also against her becoming the
Chief Judge of Kano for the same reason. So I
ask, for a person in her position, what is she
expected to do? She shouldn't then progress in
her career because she married outside her
state?!
What are the lessons here for us young lawyers:
1. For the unmarried ones that wish to join the
bench in the future, well you know what to do.
When you meet prince charming, your first
question should be "Where are you from?" If he
isn't from your State then "to the left, to the left",
say bye-bye!
2. If you must, then remember to find an LG in his
state to lay claim to immediately! For those that
are already married, it might not be too late to do
that. Don't worry about people knowing your
secret, this is Nigeria after all, those that bend or
break the rules, always get ahead. I believe that's
the message the NJC is passing to the younger
generation.
3. Forewarned is forearmed!
I'm reminded of my friend that once told me her
mother not only wants them to get married to
someone from their state, but from their village as
well. I found it utterly ridiculous but as it turns
out, that is what the Nigeria of today encourages
so hey can you blame them?!.
In Nov, 2012, Hon Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo
(JCA) made the buzz because the CJN at first
also refused to swear her in because of the same
reasons. There was a huge outcry against it
before she was finally sworn in.
However, it was a single success story because
as it turns out the NJC is still strictly applying
the Guidelines.
It's sad that we are holding on tightly to such a
retrogressive and discriminatory 'guideline'. And a
huge shame that the Judiciary is guilty of such
injustice! I cannot stress the irony there.
As for me personally, this is part of the reason
that when people ask if I would want to join the
bench in the future I reply "HELL NO!"


http://saharareporters.com/2015/01/10/gov-kwankwaso-appoints-christain-female-acting-chief-judge-kano-state

JANUARY 7, 2015 BY OLUSOLA FABIYI
40 Comments
The Peoples Democratic Party has tasked the All
Progressives Congress to come out clean and
explain to Nigerians, their connections with the
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh,
in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said the
explanation became necessary following the
statement by MEND backing their Presidential
candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
The statement said, “What exactly does APC have
in common with MEND? Why do they want to
resurrect it? Nigerians want to know.
“Are we also expecting a similar statement from
insurgents in the north, who initially named
General Buhari to lead the dialogue between them
and the Federal Government?
“Nigerians are indeed worried by these
developments. We therefore urge the APC to come
out clean and explain to the citizens what they
have in common with these groups, especially
given the statement by their flag bearer, after the
2011 elections, that the ‘dogs and baboons will
all be soaked in blood.'”
http://www.punchng.com/news/apc-should-explain-its-connections-with-mend-pdp/

The Rivers Police Command has confirmed that
unidentified gunmen attacked All Progressives
Congress (APC) supporters travelling to Port
Harcourt to attend the party’s presidential
campaign.
The presidential campaign flag off was held on
Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
DSP Muhammad Ahmad, the command’s
spokesman,said in Port Harcourt that the
unknown gunmen “opened fire on the APC
supporters’’.
Ahmad said that the supporters were travelling in
group from Buguma in Asari-Turu Local
Government Area of the state for the rally.
According to Ahmad, the initial report had shown
that there were no casualties.
Ahmad said the command had commenced
investigation into the incident, assuring that it
would get to its root and bring the suspects to
justice.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/police-confirms-attack-apc-supporters-rivers/

I want all my progressive ladies and gentlements to comment. CHANGE..............................>>>>2015

change

APC Presidential candidate Gen Muhammadu
Buhari arrived Port Harcourt, Rivers state this
morning where he will officially kick off his
presidential campaign. see photos below: change 2015